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20th Century Fox acquires film rights to Simon Sebag Montefiore’s Royal Rabbits

We are very pleased to announce that 20th Century Fox Feature Animation have closed a deal to acquire pre-publication film rights to THE ROYAL RABBITS OF LONDON, the first children’s book series by Santa and Simon Sebag Montefiore (illustrated by Kate Hindley).

The Hobbit meets Fantastic Mr Fox, Downton Abbey meets Watership Down, THE ROYAL RABBITS OF LONDON tells the story of a weak country rabbit called Shylo. When he stumbles across a terrible conspiracy against the Royal Family, he sets off to London where he discovers the ancient order of Royal Rabbits who live under Buckingham Palace. The Royal Rabbits, a collection of eccentric characters, not only defend a mythical Royal Family led by the King, but also mankind itself in the war against the abuse of the internet personified by the Ratzis. Often allied with their cousins who live under the White House against wicked potentates especially the Minks of the Kremlin, it’s a story of timeless and global appeal…

“While we were writing the books and creating this special world, which was inspired by our own children we always conceived of this series as both book and film: it was a dream that we would get the chance to work with the best of animated film-makers,” says Santa Montefiore. “We are delighted to be working with Fox Feature Animation on Royal Rabbits” says Simon Sebag Montefiore. “This exciting deal is an amazing opportunity for us to work with the brilliant animated film-makers who made Ice Age and Peanuts to bring our characters to the big screen.”

Simon Sebag Montefiore is a #Number One Sunday Times non-fiction bestseller whose prizewinning books, including non-fiction such as JERUSALEM and THE ROMANOVS, and fiction such as ONE NIGHT IN WINTER, are published in 45 languages. Santa Montefiore is a #Number One Sunday Times fiction bestseller and the author of 15 novels for adults, including the recent Beekeeper’s Daughter and Songs of Love & War, which have sold 4 million copies worldwide.

THE ROYAL RABBITS OF LONDON will be published by Simon & Schuster on 6th October 2016 in a bespoke gift hardback, with the paperback to follow in spring 2017. Book two is scheduled for October 2017.